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Germany has 137,000 unfilled IT positions and Fachinformatiker is one of the most recruited Ausbildung tracks in the country. IT Ausbildung pays €800–1,100/month during training. After completion, 74% of trainees receive permanent contracts. This guide covers the 4 specialisations, salary figures, language requirements, and how Sri Lankan STEM graduates approach this pathway.
Randima Saiger
Co-founder, MALIROSA
Germany has 137,000 unfilled IT positions and no domestic pipeline to fill them. (Source: Bitkom e.V., Digital Economy Survey, 2023) German universities produce fewer than 30,000 IT graduates per year. The structural gap is not closing — it is widening. For Sri Lankan candidates with STEM training and developing German language skills, this is a legally supported entry point that did not exist five years ago.
Fachinformatiker is the most recognised IT Ausbildung track in Germany. It is an employer-paid, state-regulated training programme. You sign a contract, receive a monthly salary, and split your time between your employer and the vocational school (Berufsschule). No tuition fees. No unpaid internship.
This guide covers the four IT Ausbildung specialisations, exact salary figures, the German language requirement, where to find employers, and how Sri Lankan STEM candidates position their prior education for this pathway.
An IT Ausbildung is a dual vocational training programme regulated under the German Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG). You train as an employee, not as a student. A German company hires you as a trainee, pays your monthly salary, and provides on-the-job training in your specialisation.
In parallel, you attend the Berufsschule one to two days per week for theoretical instruction in programming, networking, project management, or digital business — depending on your track.
The standard duration is three years. Unlike university, there are no entrance exams and no tuition fees. The barrier to entry is your German language certificate and the employer's assessment of your aptitude and communication skills.
Germany offers four main IT Ausbildung tracks under the Fachinformatiker umbrella and related IT business qualifications. Each serves a different role in the industry.
Salary figures are approximate gross monthly stipends based on Bundesagentur fur Arbeit data (2024) and IHK employer surveys. Larger tech employers such as SAP, T-Systems, and Siemens typically pay at or above the upper end of these ranges.
This is the most in-demand IT Ausbildung track in Germany. You learn to design, build, and test software applications. The curriculum covers object-oriented programming, database design, software testing, and agile project methods.
Common programming languages taught include Java, Python, C#, and PHP, depending on the employer. Companies like SAP, Bosch, and mid-sized software houses offer this track across multiple German cities.
Sri Lankan candidates with prior programming experience, even self-taught, hold a meaningful advantage in this track. German employers in this space assess logical thinking and basic coding aptitude alongside German language ability. A portfolio of small projects strengthens your application.
This track covers IT infrastructure: setting up and managing networks, servers, virtualisation environments, and IT security systems. It is the backbone of every IT department in Germany.
Graduates work as system administrators, IT support specialists, and network engineers. The Bundesagentur fur Arbeit reports this is one of the fastest-growing IT Ausbildung placements due to the expansion of cloud infrastructure across German industry. (Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Berufe im Spiegel, Systemintegration, 2024)
Candidates with experience in networking, system administration, or IT support from Sri Lanka have directly transferable skills. Even informal experience with server setup or network configuration strengthens an application.
The minimum German language level for IT Ausbildung is B1. Many employers, particularly in client-facing IT roles, prefer B2.
This requirement is practical, not arbitrary. German is the working language in most IT departments. Client communication, technical documentation, team meetings, and the Berufsschule curriculum all run in German. A candidate who struggles at B1 will find the three-year programme demanding.
MALIROSA recommends reaching B2 before applying to IT Ausbildung positions. B2 gives you access to employers at SAP, Siemens, T-Systems, and large IT consulting firms. These employers pay higher stipends, offer stronger training structures, and have established international candidate pipelines.
For the Berufsschule component, you need to read and write technical German fluently. IT terminology in German is partially anglicised (terms like Software, Server, Netzwerk carry over), which reduces the learning curve for English-speaking candidates.
A German IT Ausbildung does not require a computer science degree. The entry requirement is secondary school completion (equivalent to Sri Lankan A/L or O/L depending on the employer and state) plus the German language certificate.
Sri Lankan candidates with a BSc in IT, Computer Science, or Engineering, or even partial university studies in STEM, are well positioned. German employers recognise that a candidate from a university STEM background brings analytical skills and programming exposure that goes beyond the Ausbildung baseline.
The key factor is how you communicate this in your Bewerbung (application letter) and interview. Your prior technical education is an asset. You do not need to downplay it. You frame it as background that makes you a faster learner in the training programme.
MALIROSA works with Sri Lankan IT and STEM candidates to structure applications that present prior education in the way German employers expect and respond to.
Finding an IT Ausbildung employer requires direct outreach and an understanding of where these positions are listed. The process differs from university admission. You apply to a company, not an institution.
The main channels for finding IT Ausbildung positions are listed below.
IT Ausbildung positions in Germany typically open for applications from September to March for training starts the following September. Larger employers such as SAP and T-Systems run structured intake rounds with fixed application windows. Smaller employers hire on a rolling basis.
German IT Ausbildung employers assess candidates on four main factors: logical thinking, basic programming interest or aptitude, German communication skills, and reliability.
Unlike university admissions, grades are less important than demonstrated aptitude. An employer is investing three years in training you. They want evidence that you can learn, communicate, and work professionally in German.
For international candidates, a cover letter that is precise, error-free German and demonstrates knowledge of the employer's products or services makes a significant difference. Generic applications are screened out quickly.
Technical aptitude tests (Einstellungstest) are common at larger employers. These cover basic maths, logical reasoning, and sometimes simple programming tasks. Preparation for these tests is part of MALIROSA's Ausbildung placement support for IT candidates.
IT Ausbildung has one of the strongest post-training retention rates in the German apprenticeship system. The BIBB (Bundesinstitut fur Berufsbildung) reported in 2023 that 74% of IT Ausbildung graduates receive a permanent employment contract from their training employer.
Starting salaries for qualified Fachinformatiker Anwendungsentwicklung range from €2,400 to €3,200 gross per month depending on employer size, city, and specialisation. (Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit EntgeltatlaS, 2024) System integration graduates start in a similar range at €2,200 to €3,000 gross per month.
With three to five years of experience, IT salaries in Germany rise significantly. Senior software developers earn €4,000 to €6,000 gross per month. Senior system engineers and infrastructure specialists earn €3,500 to €5,000.
IT Ausbildung graduates are also eligible to pursue further qualifications. The Techniker or Meister certifications, or a part-time degree at a Fachhochschule, are common next steps for candidates who want to move into senior technical or management roles.
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Written by
Randima Saiger
Co-founder, MALIROSA
Randima Saiger is a co-founder of MALIROSA from Sri Lanka. She brings deep personal understanding of the Sri Lankan education system, family dynamics, and candidate aspirations, bridging local knowledge with Germany-side experience.
© 2026 MALIROSA. All rights reserved. This article is the intellectual property of MALIROSA and may not be reproduced, distributed or republished without written permission.
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